Elroy Withrite, also known as “Eddie”, who was found guilty of the murder of Andrew Drakes on June 8, 2019, at Farm, East Bank Essequibo, is expected to be sentenced on September 17, following a report from the mental health clinic on his mental state.
Attorney-at-law, Kezia Williams, who represents Withrite, told the court that it would be in the best interest of the court to adjourn and have her client receive a psychiatric evaluation before the sentencing process. State prosecutor, Alvaro Ramotar, also agreed, citing the gravity of the situation, as Withrite was observed to be slurring his speech and unable to fully grasp the situation.
The facts of the case revealed that Withrite and the deceased, Drakes, were known to each other as they both resided in Farm, East Bank Essequibo. At approximately 5:00 pm on June 8, 2019, Withrite and Drakes were standing on Pump Station Street in Farm, East Bank Essequibo. Shortly thereafter, a scream was heard, and Drakes was discovered lying face down in a pool of blood. When police attended the scene, Drakes’ motionless body was observed to have multiple injuries, including on the back of his head and both hands. Withrite was later found with a cutlass in his hand and was arrested.
On the day of his arrest, Withrite gave a written statement under caution in the presence of his mother and two police officers. He revealed that on June 7, 2019, he had an incident with Drakes. On June 8, he observed Drakes sitting on a bench in front of his yard and, armed with a cutlass, attacked Drakes with several chops to his body.
A post-mortem examination conducted by pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh on June 12, 2019, revealed the cause of death to be haemorrhage and shock due to multiple incised wounds. Drakes sustained a total of eight incised wounds as a result of the attack.
The sentencing is expected to be delivered by Justice Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the High Court in Demerara after the report on Withrite’s mental state is presented to the court.
